Cohen Media Group Acquires Cannes Opening Night Film 'Standing Tall'

Cohen Media Group has acquired all U.S. distribution rights to this year’s Canned Film Festival opening night film, "Standing Tall" ("La Tet Haute"), written and directed by Emanuelle Bercot.

The choice in opening night film was notable because it was only the second film directed by a female director to open the festival. The last time was in 1987 with Diane Kurys’ "A Man in Love."

The film stars Catherine Deneuve and breakout Rod Paradot, who plays juvenile delinquent, Malony. The film tracks his upbringing as a children’s judge and social worker try to save him from himself. As a volatile and violent teen delinquent, Paradot’s Malony navigates the criminal justice system, aided by a child court judge (Deneuve, who also starred in Bercot’s "On My Way") and a youth counselor (Benoit Magimel, "The Connection").

Charles S. Cohen said, "’Standing Tall’ is a film of great depth, social importance and it is ultimately a film of great optimism. This distribution arrangement is a continuation of Cohen Media Group’s valued relationships with Emmanuelle Bercot and with our long-standing partners at Elle Driver."